09 July 2012

KENYA : Terrorists strike Soldiers on the buzzer

Ulinzi vs KPA match played on Friday

Updated on 09/07/12 | By BRIAN AYIEKO

In what can be described as one of the most exciting matches in the current Kenya Basketball Federation Premier League, defense forces side Ulinzi were closely beaten by University of Nairobi Terrorists 50 – 52 on Sunday afternoon at the Nyayo Gymnasium in thrilling style.Ulinzi had on Friday night fallen to KPA at the same venue.Terrorists’ Frank Manyala crashed Ulinzi’s hope of getting a win this weekend when he sank in the last basket on the buzzer to break the 50 – 50 deadlock that the two teams had with 3 seconds to the end of the final quarter.Ulinzi had started off well beating the students in the first 2 quarters (15-10) (16-15) to put the total scores at half time 31-25 in their favor. Ulinzi’s Moses Shida was impressive in the first quarter staging some immaculate defensive plays having managed 3 direct blocked shots.The 3rd quarter witnessed a recharged performance from the students who upset Ulinzi ith a four points margin of 10 – 6. But it was the final quarter that electrified the crowds with each team doing their best to snatch the decisive quarter and with 3 minutes to the end , students led Ulinzi with a single point 48 -49. After a defensive foul from Terrorists, Ulinzi managed to get a point but the lead was short lived.Ulinzi’s bad start to the league went on Manyala’s final shot taken on the buzzer went in much to the delight of the crowd to sink the soldiers’ hopes with a final quarter scoreline of 17 – 13 .Hilary Kubai was the students’ top scorer with 12 points while Brian Obimbo and Frank Manyala each gave their side 11 points. Obimbo was also his side’s rebound taker securing 7 offensive rebounds and 5 defensive rebounds to put the total of 12 rebounds.

Ulinzi’s Mike Tanui was the highest point scorer in the match bagging 18 points for his side and on his way managing to score four (3) pointer shots after nine attempts and ensuring that he sank in all the 4 free throws that he undertook. He was followed by William Ochieng who had 15 points.

The win against Ulinzi has seen Terrorist upset a number of top teams in the past two weekends when they beat defending champions CO-OP Bank and fellow students USIU Tigers.